Introduction: Scripture Reading- Exodus 17:1-7
A. Exodus 17:1-7
B. Setting the Scene: Israelites in the Wilderness
a. They were in the wilderness because they had just left Egypt and were on their way to the land of promise.
C. Overview of Moses' Leadership
a. Moses was choses by God at the burning bush to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and to the land of promise.
Discussion:
I. The Thirsty Journey
A. The Wilderness Experience
1. Harsh Conditions
2. Dependence on God's Guidance
a. Cloud by day and Fire by night
B. Testing of Faith
1. The Challenge of Limited Resources
2. The Israelites' Cry for Water (Exodus 17:1-3)
a. Exo. 14:11 “And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?”
b. Didn’t we tell you to leave us in Egypt to serve the Egyptians?
II. God's Provision
A. The Miracle at Horeb
1. God's Command to Moses (Exodus 17:5-6)
2. The Promise of Water from the Rock
B. Symbolism of the Rock
1. God as the Solid Rock
2. The Spiritual Implications of the Rock
III. Moses' Obedience and Disobedience
A. Moses' Faithful History
1. Leading the Israelites out of Egypt
a. Got them out of Egypt, which was a feat
b. Got them across the Red Sea
2. God's Miraculous Interventions
a. Pharoah’s magicians
b. The plagues
c. The parting of the Red Sea and crossing on dry land while the Egyptian army was destroyed behind them
B. The Moment of Testing
1. God's Instruction to Speak to the Rock (Numbers 20:7-9)
2. Moses' Decision to Strike the Rock (Numbers 20:9-11)
IV. Consequences of Disobedience
C. Lessons in Obedience
1. Trusting God's Instructions
a. Abraham: travel to a strange land, sacrifice Isaac
2. The Importance of Humility
a. Stay calm, stay humble, trust in God
b. It’s God’s commands, and we are simply here to obey
V. Application to Our Lives
A. The Wilderness Moments in Our Journeys
1. Times of Testing and Trials
2. Dependence on God's Word in all trials
a. James 1:2-7 [Read] teleios
Conclusion
A. Closing Scripture: Psalm 78:65-72
B. The psalmist is referring to Jesus. This salvation still applies today to anyone who is willing to obey and obey God’s way not man’s way.
C. Call to Obedience and Trust in God's Provision
1. God says we must:
a. Hear His Word
b. Believe His Word and in His Son
c. Repent of our sin
d. Confess our faith before men
e. Be immersed in baptism
f. Arise to walk in newness of life and live faithful even unto to death